Writing Three-dimensional Characters in Thrillers with Gabriel Bergmoser

Bring your story to life with memorable and compelling characters

Join award-winning author Gabriel Bergmoser in this practical and engaging online course on developing well-rounded characters in thriller fiction.

The key to great, memorable thrillers almost always lies in characters—characters who feel vivid, engaging and real. But how do we write them? Through deep dive analysis and a series of challenging exercises, we’ll examine iconic characters from across a range of great thrillers of the page and screen, in order to figure out what makes them work and how we can bring our own characters—and thrillers—to life.

You’ll learn:

  • What makes compelling heroes and villains
  • How to ensure your characters have a clear function in the story
  • How to make your characters complex and fully rounded
  • The spectrum of different types of thriller protagonists
  • How to avoid cliches in fleshing out your supporting cast

The course is designed to take you 5-6 hours in total, and can be completed in short stages at your convenience. Scroll down to see the full course curriculum and a list of frequently asked questions.

KYD Members receive a 10% discount on this course and all other KYD online courses throughout the year. Become a member here, or contact [email protected] for more information.

Want to buy a course for a friend? Purchase a gift voucher here.


Your Instructor


Gabriel Bergmoser
Gabriel Bergmoser

Gabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning Melbourne-based author. He won the prestigious Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award in 2015. In 2016 his first young adult novel, Boone Shepard, was shortlisted for the Readings Young Adult Prize. His first novel for adults, The Hunted (HarperCollins, 2020), is a bestseller and a film adaptation is currently being developed. His 2022 Audible Original novella, The Hitchhiker, spent a month at number one in the Audible bestseller chart.


Course Curriculum


  Welcome
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  Part One: Heroes and Villains
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  Part Two: The Protagonist Spectrum
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish. We encourage you to approach this material not just as lessons to be finished once and for all, but also as a collection of resources to which you can return time and again.
How long do I have access to the course?
Forever! After enrolling, you have unlimited lifetime access to this course - across any and all devices you own.
Does the teacher provide feedback?
No. If you are interested in receiving feedback on your project, we encourage you to check out KYD's Manuscript Assessment Service: https://killyourdarlings.com.au/shop/manuscript-assessments/
How do I access my course?
All our online workshops are hosted at workshops.killyourdarlings.com.au, via the Teachable platform. You can access your workshop by logging in at that link, or by following the link in your welcome email when you enrol. Please note that as the Teachable platform is a separate website to KYD you will need to create a new account, and will not be able to use your KYD login details.
I'm a KYD member. How do I receive my 10% discount?
Click on 'Enrol in course for $169'. Enter the coupon code that was emailed to you when you became a KYD member at checkout, underneath the tutor's photo.
What if I have another question?
You can email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help!

Get started now!